6 Oldest Airports in Europe Still in Operation Today

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - With its first recorded flight taking place in 1910, Brighton City Airport technically leads the pack of the oldest airports in Europe. However, the UK-based airport missed the cut due to its shift toward general aviation, now primarily serving pilot training, pleasure flights, and private charters.

This shift explains why the conversation around the oldest airports in Europe places Hamburg Airport at the very top. Founded in 1911, it remains an active commercial hub and continues to serve as a vital gateway to Northern Europe.

Citing Simple Flying, here are the oldest airports in Europe that are still in operation today.

List of the Oldest Airports in Europe Still in Operation Today

1. Hamburg Airport

As Germany’s first major airport, Hamburg Airport started operating in 1911 as an airship hangar for two Zeppelins. It wasn’t until post World War I that its role shifted from a military airfield to accommodating aeroplanes, with the first scheduled flights launching in 1920.

Today, Hamburg Airport leads the pack of the oldest airports in Europe and stands as Germany’s fifth-largest. It served approximately 14.83 million passengers in 2024, connecting travelers to an extensive network of around 120 domestic and international destinations. 

Its long-standing success in commercial aviation, however, can’t be attributed to anything other than relentless development initiatives. This year, Hamburg Airport invested a total of 250 million euros in the Net Zero 2035 project, which pursues the ambitious goal of making its own operations CO emission-free. At the same time, HAM keeps passengers’ comfort as a top priority, driving continuous renovation, modernization, and renewal across its facilities.

2. Bucharest Bneasa

Today, Bucharest Bneasa Airport serves as a complementary hub to the larger Bucharest International Airport, catering primarily to low-cost and regional networks. However, before assuming its current role, the airport underwent one transition after another.

First established in 1912 as Romania’s first flight school, Bneasa later evolved into the capital’s sole commercial airport in 1969, handling air traffic throughout the communist era. This period of prominence ultimately gave way to a major, decade-long closure beginning in 2012.

Since reopening, the airport has re-emerged as a reliable secondary hub, handling over 100,000 passengers in 2024. While further growth is projected, such as the potential of surpassing 500,000 passengers in 2025, Bucharest Bneasa remains true to its heritage, continuing operations within its distinctive original terminal building, dating back to 1952 and shaped like a three-blade propeller.

3. Bremen

As one of the oldest airports in Europe, Bremen Airport traces its origins to the early 20th century. The idea of establishing an airfield to connect Bremen to the growing airship route network was driven by the Bremer Verein für Luftschifffahrt (BVL) and received official approval from the Senate in 1913.

The airport was used for military purposes during World War I, before construction resumed in July 1920. Extending beyond its early operational role, Bremen Airport became the birthplace of the legendary aircraft manufacturer Focke-Wulf, establishing the site as a center for significant aircraft development.

Into the modern era, Bremen’s aviation legacy endures, reflected in its continued importance to Airbus operations. Bremen now also serves as a secondary airport in Germany, particularly for low-cost and charter carriers, with airlines such as Ryanair, Lufthansa, and KLM.

4. Poznan-Lawica

Opened by Emperor Wilhelm II in 1913, Poznan-Lawica Airport was originally built by the German authorities as a military airbase. Though it transitioned to commercial use in 1921, military operations continued in the airport’s northern section until 2009.

Over time, Poznan-Lawica has grown into a vital regional hub for western Poland. It serves millions of annual passengers, driven largely by low-cost carriers. 

5. Rome Ciampino

Established in 1916, Rome Ciampino Airport spent its first three decades primarily serving as a military base. It remained the city’s only airport until January 1961, when Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport officially opened and took over as Rome’s main hub for international carriers. 

Despite this shift and a period of relative decline, Rome Ciampino continued to operate, focusing largely on low-cost carriers while undergoing continuous development and modernization. 

6. Amsterdam Schiphol

Named as one of the most modern airports in the world, Amsterdam Schiphol’s history began in 1916. It initially served as a military base before opening to civil aviation in 1920, though paved runways had yet to be built. 

The 1928 Olympic Games later spurred major airport expansions, accelerating Schiphol’s transition into a fully commercial hub. Today, its primary tenant remains KLM, operating from the airport’s iconic single-terminal complex

Each of these oldest airports in Europe stands as a symbol of how strategic development and innovation can shape a world-class gateway. If you’re eager to expand your exploration of the discovery of the aviation landscape, let’s take a look at the world’s most stressful airports for travelers.

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